Building Briefs - September 22nd

The engineers behind the design and build of The Glenlivet Distillery road-bridge in the heart of “Malt Whisky Country” in Speyside, have confirmed that the iconic structure is now ready for crossing.

Robertson Civil Engineering, who delivered the project alongside architects Archial Norr and engineers Blyth&Blyth, expressed their delight with the end result.

Robertson Civil Engineering was awarded the contract by Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, for work at The Glenlivet Distillery following the successful build of its Dalmunach Distillery in Glen Carron on the banks of the Spey in 2015.

The three-arch bridge saw a team of 17 expert engineers, surveyors and tradesmen work in collaboration with the architects to erect the structure.

The distillery sits within the dramatic Speyside landscape and is home to The Glenlivet. The bridge has been built in the style of The Glenlivet signifier – the pack horse bridge – and forms the entrance to the Visitor Centre.

Tony Fry, managing director of Robertson Civil Engineering said: “The fact that Chivas Brothers wanted something that was ‘old style stone’ has made this particular bridge so unique. It’s not often we’re asked to do bridges like this one, but when we are, it is a real privilege.

“Their desire to tie the structure into their brand signifier has made it a very interesting project to work on, and the end result is sure to be admired by visitors to the distillery for many years to come.”

Late summer rise for gross mortgage lending in August

The Council of Mortgage Lenders estimates that gross mortgage lending reached £22.5 billion in August – 7 per cent higher than July’s lending total of £21.1 billion.

In addition to the month-on-month rise, lending rose 15% year-on-year, from £19.5 billion in August 2015. This is the highest August figure since 2007 when gross lending reached £33.6 billion.

Commenting on market conditions in this month’s market commentary, CMLsenior economist Mohammad Jamei said: “Widely voiced fears in recent months about the housing market have proved to be wide of the mark. Prospects for house purchase activity post-referendum look slightly subdued, when compared to late 2015 and early 2016. However, sentiment in the market recovered in August. This is reflected in stronger-than-expected transaction figures, and in our gross lending estimate.

“This recovery in sentiment is likely to be down to a number of different factors, including the Bank of England’s monetary stimulus and its introduction of the Term Funding Scheme in August. A subsequent uptick in approvals is anticipated, albeit still at levels lower than earlier this year as affordability constraints and lack of properties on the market for sale continue to bear down on borrowers. The Bank also continues to indicate another rate cut on the cards, if medium term prospects remain unchanged.”

SELECT launches radio campaign on electrical safety

As hundreds of thousands of students return to university after the summer break, SELECT, the campaigning trade body for Scotland’s electrical sector, is issuing a reminder to landlords about their legal responsibilities.

As part of a campaign to reduce the risk of fire in private rented property, SELECT is next week commencing a Scotland-wide radio campaign to alert both landlords and tenants to obligations to carry out electrical inspections.

Since December last year, landlords have been required to conduct five-yearly electrical checks of the fixed wiring and any electrical appliances in privately rented homes. As well as landlords being compliant, tenants should ask for a copy of the electrical safety check when it’s done.

SELECT has chosen radio as the medium for the campaign to get the message across to tenants as well as landlords and will run a series of adverts across the Scottish independent radio network - including RadiosClyde, Forth, MFR, Northsound 1, Borders, Tay, and Westsound - advising of the changes and directing landlords to its website, needanelectrician.scot.

The campaign is backed by Scottish Minister for Local Government and Housing, Kevin Stewart MSP, who recently met SELECT managing director Newell McGuiness and Alan Wilson, SELECT’s Head of Communications and Member Services.

Mr Stewart said: “Government statistics have shown that 69 per cent of all accidental fires in Scottish homes are caused by electricity. It is most important to continue to deliver the safety message to landlords.”

Dunedin Canmore named best UK housing association at Energy Awards

Dunedin Canmore has scooped a top UK energy-efficiency award for work tackling fuel poverty in its communities.

Edinburgh-based Dunedin Canmore, part of Wheatley Group, won ‘Housing Association of the Year’ at the annual National Energy Efficiency Retrofit Awards in Birmingham.

Dunedin Canmore’s ‘Energy 2020’ initiative delivered a range of energy-efficient improvements, including 200 new gas boilers, enhanced levels of insulation and draft-proof doors and windows.

The ‘Energy 2020’ project also saw customers get money-saving energy advice from Dunedin Canmore’s own Home Energy Advice Team (HEAT).

HEAT advisors visited customers at home and helped people manage fuel bills, switch energy suppliers, apply for discounted schemes and, depending on their circumstances, clear fuel debt.

Over the next four years, the project will focus on making sure the majority of Dunedin Canmore’s homes meet the Scottish Governments Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH).

Dunedin Canmore Chief Executive Ewan Fraser said: “We know that fuel poverty is a very real issue for our customers and part of our strategy across Wheatley Group is to invest more in energy-saving initiatives.”

New housing development launches in Dundee city centre

Dundee is set to benefit from a new, state-of-the-art residential housing development which is being created by Glasgow-based construction and manufacturing specialists CCG (Scotland) Ltd.

The much anticipated ‘Lochlee Wynd’ project is located just off Glamis Road, minutes from the city centre, and will comprise 23 residential properties. 17 three and four bedroom homes will be available for private sale in both detached and semi-detached house styles. A single block of six flats will also be located within the site which will be managed by Blackwood Housing and be available for affordable rent.

The homes available for private sale have the significant added benefit of Help to Buy offering families the chance to buy a new home with just a 5% deposit.

CCG will construct the development using an enhanced timber frame system which is designed and manufactured in their own manufacturing facility. This highly sustainable build method ensures quality in construction and enhanced energy standards.

Calum Murray, Director of CCG (Scotland) Ltd said:

“This is CCG’s first project in Dundee and one that we are very excited about it as it further extends the reach of our business across Scotland. We have a strong track record in the delivery of private housing with recent developments in Glasgow and Edinburgh and we are confident that the homes on offer at ‘Lochlee Wynd’ will be in high demand.”

Perth’s Canal Street multi storey car park works ahead of schedule

Work to refurbish the Canal Street multi storey car park in Perth is well underway and progressing ahead of schedule.

Perth and Kinross Council says it is aiming to have the car park partially operational again in time for the Christmas Light Switch On weekend (November 19) and fully operational by early December.

To minimise the impact on residents and visitors, the work was divided into two phases.

Phase 1 of the works commenced with a partial closure (levels 5-9) on 22nd August.

Phase 2 of the works will require a complete closure of the car park for 6 weeks and this date has now been brought forward to Monday 26th September due to the outstanding progress made during the initial phase 1 works.

This has been due to a number of factors including good weather and the contractor being able to start the project a week ahead of schedule.

The £1.7m programme is funded by receipts from charging for parking.